Welcome to AoD. The Age of Derailment!I'd like to get back to discussing GoT, I really liked our chat about it.
Sir Arthur dayneWelcome to AoD. The Age of Derailment!
But back on target, in a straight up, one-on-one fight, which GoT would be the strongest?
The rules:
- single combat, no help from anyone or anything (people, dragons, etc.)
- you can choose the character in any state they appeared in throughout the timeline of the TV series (flashbacks don't count) i.e. Jamie before his hand was lost is fair game, but not Robert Baratheon in his prime (since this occurred outside of the timeline of the show)
- the fight would take place in a fighting arena in average weather
- no magic or magic items
- characters can be equipped as they were at any point throughout the TV series (but no magic items and for the sake of argument let's disallow valyrian steel...in which case the combatant would be given the same weapon made of normal steel)
- no ranged weapons; let's only consider close combat
- try not to exploit any loop holes in these rules... the idea is a fair one on one close combat without the aid of magic items or ranged warfare. Simply skill + weaponry vs. skill + weaponry
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Sir Arthur dayne
you can choose the character in any state they appeared in throughout the timeline of the TV series (flashbacks don't count)
It’s why I am so glad Barristan is still alive in the books he really is that awesome. He might be old but he didn’t let himself go soft.
Jaime pre hand loss though probably would have given him a solid run for his money
I think while Jaime is a good warrior, he was a bit overrated. I think Drogo or Brienne would take him, even when he did have his hand. Oberyn Martell is also a good combatant, for all intents and purposes he had the Mountain beat. It was his overconfidence that resulted in his death.
I still think Khal Drogo is the front runner. He is said never to have lost (and unlike stories of other characters, his uncut hair is evidence that the stories around him are actually true). We see him in only a single fight, but he is absolutely toying with his opponent and beats him with ease after purposely discarding his own weapon. His only downside is a lack of armour, but it appears that he has the skills to make up for it. Sadly, he is taken down by women.
His story arc and realization is a very intriguing. While he is a skilled warrior, I don't think he would make my top 5.That over ratedness is what really contributes to his character, especially when he loses his hand because he is beginning to realize a knight isn't all that is made out to be. He starts to have that revelation a bit prior but the hand loss is a real solidification for him. Brienne is an exceptional warrior herself.
Lest we not forget Daenerys, if not for her, Drogo would never have sought the aid of Mirri. If he had kept the wound clean the odds are very much in the favour of his survival. I'm sure the Dothraki must have some sort of healer, however limited. That wound seems pretty superficial, if the Dothraki were not able to survive such a minor injury they would have died out pretty quick.In the long run though I don't blame Mirri she saw a chance at vengeance at took it. Additionally though if Drogo had made sure the wound stayed clean he possibly would have survived. SO it was a mixture of Mirri's own vengeance and Drogo's dang pride (at least in the book, its been a long time since I've watched the show)
What was the wound caused by, again?
That explains our different viewpoints. I was considering it from the perspective of the TV series where the wound is very superficial.In the book it was incredibly severe like a massive flap of skin was hanging off of him and a literally flapping in the breeze. He kept removing bandages. So even if he had let it heal on his own without a poultice he was running the risk of infection.
Interesting!Wanted to add to the Jaime bit he is a very compelling character and I think he will survive the game or at least go a hero’s death. One theory I have run across is he is the younger brother from Cersei’s prophecy that will kill her.
He was a great character... it would have been interesting to see him in his prime. As it stands, I don't think he would be fast enough or strong enough to hang with the best of the best. Still, he can't be fully discounted.Ser Barristan Selmy
Main problem with him is that he is old, but I feel like he would still beat almost every other person in 1on1 combat.
I think Jamie (who at that point is considered to be one of the best living swordsmen) mentions that he wouldn't bet on winning against Ser Barristan, despite his old age.
IIRC when he quits Joffrey's guys who are supposed to stop him (all expert Swordsmen) all either refuse fighting him or get killed trying. I think in the TV show he even mocks them saying none of them is able to stop him.
That explains our different viewpoints. I was considering it from the perspective of the TV series where the wound is very superficial.
Interesting!
He was a great character... it would have been interesting to see him in his prime. As it stands, I don't think he would be fast enough or strong enough to hang with the best of the best. Still, he can't be fully discounted.
You're right, that is completely different from the show. In the show, it doesn't really make much sense why Drogo would trust Mirri, other than Daenerys convincing him to do so. The book seems to back him into a corner a little bit more.Oh yeah his wound was a wide open one in the book, on his chest. Mirri did intend to heal Drogo but Drogo did not want to listen to her so he picked at the bandages and let dirt get inside the wound. Mirri did not betray Daenerys and Drogo until the blood magic part, since he was already on the brink of death from literal blood poisoning.
Her come uppings are on the way. She has so many enemies, but the Jamie angle you proposed is intriguing.Like Cersei heard a prophecy when she went to a witch as a child (Maggie the Frog) who said she would have three children and her husband would have 16 (?) I believe. And she would be queen until a queen younger and more beautiful than herself came, she would see her children die, taste ashes in her mouth and the valonquar (Valyrian for younger brother) will wrap his hands around your throat.
Jorah is a great warrior but I really don't see him beating the likes of Drogo, Brienne, Oberyn, The Hound, Barristan Selmy, etc. Jorah is very scrappy, but he doesn't seem to have the higher level skills that the others possess.I would also like to add Jorah would be a challenge due to the fact he has been fighting and going through most of Westeros and Essos. He is also a tourney winner and adaptable to boot!
You're right, that is completely different from the show. In the show, it doesn't really make much sense why Drogo would trust Mirri, other than Daenerys convincing him to do so. The book seems to back him into a corner a little bit more.
Her come uppings are on the way. She has so many enemies, but the Jamie angle you proposed is intriguing.
Jorah is a great warrior but I really don't see him beating the likes of Drogo, Brienne, Oberyn, The Hound, Barristan Selmy, etc. Jorah is very scrappy, but he doesn't seem to have the higher level skills that the others possess.
That sounds about right for a guy... "nah... I don't need to see a doctor!"He really was honestly. He kept refusing healing.
Agreed. She is an intriguing character. Other than her love for her kids, she has like no redeeming qualities.ON the same note I find Cersei an incredibly interesting character. She is literally the worst but is very well written overall.
This is known. But Bronn is a heck of a lot funnier!Jorah is your barfighter, you want him at your back. He's amore trustworthy version of Bronn
This took me much longer to figure out than I care to admit.ASOIAF